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Ten Thousand Waves

Fodor's Hotel Awards 2010 Best Resort or Destination Spas  |  Winning Attributes

At a Glance

    Pros

  • This is a delightfully sensuous experience all the way around

    Cons

  • You might not want to leave the premises, but you'll have to because there is no on-site restaurant

Ten Thousand Waves Review

Devotees appreciate the Zenlike atmosphere of this Japanese-style health spa and small hotel above town. Twelve light and airy hillside cottages are settled down a piñon-covered hill below the first-rate spa, which is tremendously popular with day visitors. The sleek, uncluttered accommodations have marble or stone wood-burning fireplaces, CD stereos, fine woodwork, low-slung beds or futons, and courtyards or patios; two come with full kitchens. There's also a cozy, vintage Airstream Bambi trailer available at much lower rates ($139 nightly)—it's a kitschy, fun alternative to the much pricier cottages. The facility has private and communal indoor and outdoor hot tubs and spa treatments. Overnight guests can use the communal tubs for free. The snack bar serves sushi and other healthful treats. Ask about the Japanese movie nights.

2010 Fodor's 100 Hotel Award Winner

With peaceful, streamlined Asian-style gardens and architecture, you feel more as if you're on a mountain retreat in Japan than one in New Mexico. Indeed, Japanese onsen (thermal baths) were the inspiration for this spa, which has plenty of places for you to soak—communally or privately, indoors or out. Treatments also reflect Asia. Consider the Nose to Toes therapy with its Japanese head, neck, shoulder, and foot rubs; Thai stretching; and Polynesian lomi lomi massage.

    Hotel Amenities

  • 12 cottages, 1 trailer.
  • Spa, parking, some pets allowed.
  • Rooms have: no a/c, kitchen (some), no TV (some), Wi-Fi (some).
  • Credit cards accepted.

Member Reviews

  • LindaMcA, from Albuquerque
    11/2/11

    This last review is really an anomaly. I've been going to Ten Thousand Waves for years and it's wonderful. I've just made reservations to spend our 30th anniversary there Thanksgiving weekend. I'll review it again then, but I already know it'll be a wonderful experience. And maybe that will counteract the grouch who gave it 1 star. I'm making my ranking on previous experiences there.

    Ratings details: Room: 4 | Atmosphere: 5 | Service: 5 | Value: 4
  • msbeckie, from San Antonio
    8/26/10

    how can this be listed as a top spa destination if it has such a terrible review? Who picked this place?

    Ratings details: Room: 1 | Atmosphere: 1 | Service: 1 | Value: 1
  • cvenuk, from Albuquerque, NM
    1/7/09

    I recently made a visit to Ten Thousand Waves in Santa Fe (January 2, 2009) expecting first class service. Instead, I got the worst massage experience I've ever had. 1) First, to get anywhere on the complex, you have to walk everywhere outside, in only a robe, uphill, in freezing cold weather. 2) Second, I booked a 80 minute massage a recieved a ~40 minute massage. 3) Third, the massage therapist, Frank, spent no time on my hands, feet, or front side of my body. He only massaged my back, the back of arms and the back of my legs. 4) Fourth, when I finished I brought this to the attention of the supervisor (who was on break and I had to wait for 15 minutes to show up) and nothing was done to compensate my horrible and expensive experience. 5) Finally, the place was like a "meat market" of people. It felt more like a cattle farm than a peaceful place to relax. With so much competition in Santa Fe and surrounding area for Spas, I recommend skipping this high dollar, poor service, terrible experience place!!!

    Ratings details: Room: 1 | Atmosphere: 1 | Service: 1 | Value: 1
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